A land execution in Karaton, Luwuk district in Banggai regency, Central Sulawesi, ended in a skirmish between residents who refused to move with the police and the military joint troops on Monday.

The Luwuk District Court had ordered the land execution, affecting over 1,400 people of 343 families living in 200 houses.

The clash began when the execution team, comprising thousands of police and military personnel, was intercepted by a group of women who protested the demolition.

An officer of the Banggai Police, Comr. Djamaluddin Darise negotiated with the residents but they reached an impasse, said the residents’ lawyer, Julianer Aditia Warman, from the Central Sulawesi Legal Aid Institute (LBH).
The women recited a prayer, and other groups of residents yelled “Allahu Akbar [God is great]”.

Later, the residents and the police and military joint troops shoved each other. The residents also threw rocks at the police, prompting them retaliate with tear gas.

The tear gas failed to stop the residents, who went on to burn tires on the streets. (evi)